Lincoln Trio DIVIDED BY DESIGN demonstrate how the power of music can mature and evolve with the reimaging of the debut album 'Stages to Osiris: Rebirth'

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DIVIDED BY DESIGN (L-R): Sam, Liam, Tom

As musicians build and grow over the years, sometimes they take a moment to reflect on where it all began. How did they get from where they are now from where they started. What lessons have been learnt along the way, how have they matured and adapted to the music they’ve created. And as they grow, they soon discover that songs and creations from the earlier years can be reshaped and remade to match their current energy

Lincoln based progessive group Divided By Design have done just this with their upcoming release ‘Stages to Osiris: Rebirth’, a re-imagining of their 2020 debut of the same name (minus the ‘Rebirth’ tagline of course). Utilising years of growth, experience and innovation, the band have added new layers and maturity to this 5-track album. One thing that’s worth noting about this band is that it is purely instrumental. No vocals – Nada. Zip. Zero. Think Rush and Coheed & Cambria…but without their iconic voices.

The trio – comprising of Liam, Sam and Tom – focus on world building and story telling through the music alone. This, for me, was an instant draw to their music. The second draw for me was the concept behind the album – the five stages of grief and how we navigate from Denial to Acceptance. With this in mind, the question that has to be asked is - just how well could and would they create a story to follow with no words?

From start to finish, the album is filled with a masterful blend of simplicity and intricacy. Melodies, harmonies, elements of heavy – the group use inventive ways to grab the listener’s attention using just their instruments and some unique programming. Over the five tracks presented on ‘Stages to Osiris: Rebirth’, the group are able to bring something unique within each track so they all shine independently whilst also supporting each other as a collection. The band manage to capture the same level of emotion and intensity that other bands within their genre can do, all whilst without breathing a single word from start to finish.

Slow build into tracks and riffs help build the tension for the listeners, preparing them for the journey and each step that they will take into the unknown. One clever aspect that the band utilise is how each member takes charge within the tracks. Whilst traditionally we expect the guitar to lead the way with the drums and bass support with a rhythmic beat, Divided By Design twists this so that each member shines through with their own level of intricacy. The guitar will lead the story in one moment before quietly switching so that the bass can continue. And when both take a moment to embrace the silence, the drums continue the pace and keep the heart of the track flowing.

Within some of the tracks, we find an inclusion of orchestral and what I can only describe as ethereal elements. This additions help build a sense of uncertainty and chaos, almost as if something sinister is coming towards us during the journey. But these elements also steer us towards a sense of escape and hope before we reach the end of the journey. As we reach the end, we are thrown into a sense of Acceptance (the last stage of Grief)…but what the band manage to do with this aspect is have us ask is this Acceptance a result of accomplishing the journey and battling the challenges on the way, or rather is this Acceptance a realisation that we cannot escape our fate and we embrace the fact we are powerless to change our fate?

Divided By Design show us that the power of music is immense and incredible, something they accomplish through profound and intricate abilities. They show it’s a power that is indeed enough to create worlds and weave visions into our minds, whilst it’s also a power that can induce emotions and so much more. It is not always easy taking something from the past and re-invigorating it with a fresh coat of paint but Divided By Design have managed to do this with this release and we can only wait to see where their own journey will take them next.